2017 is fast approaching. As nurses we are busy taking care of others. We try to make plans but often don’t take the time to use a structured method to assist us. What have you done about defining, refocusing, and identifying new or revised goals? Many of us start the New Year with resolutions but soon forget them. There can be many reasons for this. We start with the best intentions but we get distracted or lazy. Other times we find the goal was vague and not well thought-out. Still other times, we are not focused and have not clearly defined the desired goal.
In order to clearly know what you hope to accomplish in 2017, there are some steps you can take. Below are seven steps to help clarify what you hope to accomplish. There is a saying that unless you write down our goals, you will not know when you have reached them.
Here are 7 suggestions to help you reach your 2017 goals:
- Decide what you want – be precise, specific. Make it time limited. We are all the same and want all kinds of things, we want to accomplish many goals. For most people just having the thought does not make it concrete or provide a clear direction to pursue to ensure that the goal is reached. Do you want to go back to school? A better goal might be to determine what course of study you wish to take. Make the goal statement clearer and more specific by saying I want to return to school to earn my degree in nursing. I will enroll in a class at the start of the next semester.
- Put your goals on paper – write them down. Don’t just verbalize this as a desire, write it down and put it in a place where you will see it regularly such as on the refrigerator or bathroom mirror.
- Determine the price you’re willing to pay. You know that paying tuition will be required. There may be other prices to be paid which may include sacrificing some overtime shifts at work, cost of transportation and transportation-related services, cost of childcare, recreational and socialization time, etc. Clearly state your costs and sacrifices.
- Write your plan – Make a ‘to do’ list and prioritize it. If a task such as go back to school is overwhelming, begin my writing down all the things and steps needed to reach your goal. Once the list is made, go back and prioritize the list beginning with the task identified and the ‘first step’ to be taken. Work your way down until all steps are listed.
- Take action – Do it now. Once you have developed your plan, you are ready to take these steps. Look at the goal you have identified and note item #1 in the priority list. Do this first.
- Do something – Do something daily that moves you toward your goal. Make phone calls, perform an internet search, set up an appointment with a career counselor, talk to someone who has already achieved their goal, or some such activity.
- Never quit – Never give up. How do you plan to identify and accomplish your goals for yourself in 2017? Remember, Rome was not built in a day. Which means you do not have to put yourself under undue stress trying to accomplish your goal within the first month of 2017. Your time line should indicate anticipated dates of completion which can be over a few months. The important thing is not to dream or wish but the take some positive steps toward the accomplishment of that dream.
What steps do you take when trying to set goals or make decisions?
HAPPY PRODUCTIVE, POSITIVE NEW YEAR!!!